Why one town board passed a gun law resolution

March 6, 2013

In response to Larry H. Richardson, member of the Town of Cochecton Board, the proposed resolution was on our town website for four days prior to our regular board meeting. Unlike laws, resolutions do not require the public’s comment, which in this case was trumped by a politically motivated governor. If we went down that road, nothing would ever get done in a town where we meet only once a month. That’s why we get elected, to make those decisions.

Prior to our meeting, I did have many residents approach me to see if we were responding to the hastily drawn legislation that New York State passed in regard to gun control. Both Senator John Bonacic and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther did not support this legislation because they did not think that it addressed the real problems of illegal guns and was infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. More time was needed to produce effective gun control legislation.

It was the opinion of the majority of the Cochecton Town Board to send a message to our governor, senator and assemblywoman stating our concerns about this new legislation. We did not need to delay and debate the issue of gun control, but let our lawmakers know that it takes time to address this issue so that reasonable, effective and enforceable measures can be taken for the safety of all the people of New York State.